“We have a history of making moves just a week or two before the season starts, to be able to put the final pieces together,” Newsome said. “We did that with [offensive tackle] Bryant McKinnie [in 2011]. He came in just before the last preseason game. We did that with [offensive tackle] Willie Anderson, I think in John Harbaugh’s first year [2008], and with [cornerback] Josh Wilson on defense [in 2010]. It’s awfully early. We don’t play Denver tomorrow, and the season is 16 games long. What you worry about is needing to play real good football going into November and December.”

The Ravens will continue to make moves, beyond the expected one of bringing fullback Vonta Leach back.

But it’s also worth noting they have the foundation for a good offense already, with quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice and deep threat wide receiver Torrey Smith. Filling in the blanks with tight ends and second receivers is easier when you have those parts in place, especially with time to adapt.

“We don’t know yet what our identity is going to be on offense yet, because it hasn’t been established yet,” Newsome said. “It’s not there yet, but it wasn’t there yet when Dennis was out there working. It’s going to be developed through training camp and in the preseason games. Now if Dennis is not going to be a part of the offense all year, the offense has to figure out what it is and what it can do best.

“Are we capable of running the football? Are we capable of getting the ball out faster? It could be an offensive identity where we’re running, going play action, and having speed at receiver. Because we’ve got three guys who are going to get behind people now. And people are more afraid of that than the 10-12-yard completion. They don’t want anybody to get behind them, so they’re going to have to defend the full field because of Torrey, Jacoby [Jones] and Deonte [Thompson].”

It will be a change, and it will take time. But because of Newsome and Harbaugh and their ability to adjust on the fly, their chances are much better than most.

Ravens are a team, first and foremost. When one man goes down, no one throws up their hands and gives up. This is not the 2012 Steelers who can’t even find the restroom unless Roethlisbooger is there to point it out for them.

There you have it folks. Oz finally tipped his hand about Deonte Thompson. The guy every Ravens fan has been talking about all off season, and the guy nobody outside of this fanbase knows about. Great speed, great vision, great hands. I like Deonte opposite Torrey and Tandon Doss playing the slot. Not a lot of household names but they will surprise a TON of football fans.

Ozzie has done a fantastic job as GM, doesn’t get the credit he deserves for getting the Ravens to the playoffs 5 years in a row.

southpaw2k says:Jul 29, 2013 10:14 AM

t8ertot says:
Jul 29, 2013 8:21 AM
You can’t replace Boldin, Pitta, Lewis, or Reed. I don’t care how good you are Ozzie

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I thought Boldin, Lewis, and Reed were getting too old to be effective on the field. I’ll never understand the logic of claiming these players were over the hill and ineffective had the Ravens kept them all, but also claim the Ravens won’t be effective without them on the field. Can’t have it both ways.

crownofthehelmet says:Jul 29, 2013 10:20 AM

bruceroy1 says:

Ozzie doesn’t get the credit he deserves for getting the Ravens to the playoffs 5 years in a row
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No, that credit’s all used up by Flacco. Just listen to how many times their moronic fans list that as Flacco’s biggest accomplishment.

so making 5 straight playoff appearances 3 afc title games and winning a superbowl mvp isnt a good accomplishment. hmm…ok. and just wondering, what is the steelers offensive strategy…other than lots of punting

southpaw2k says:Jul 29, 2013 10:30 AM

crownofthehelmet says:
Jul 29, 2013 10:20 AM
bruceroy1 says:

Ozzie doesn’t get the credit he deserves for getting the Ravens to the playoffs 5 years in a row
———————————————————-
No, that credit’s all used up by Flacco. Just listen to how many times their moronic fans list that as Flacco’s biggest accomplishment.

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You’re right, because it’s not like Peyton Manning was lauded for leading the Colts to 5 straight divisional championships (with 1 Super Bowl win) between 2003-2007, and two more divisional titles in 2009 and 2010 (with a Super Bowl appearance in one of those years). God forbid we give a quarterback credit for leading his team to several consecutive playoff bids so his team has a chance to win a championship.

Joemontanaflacco says:Jul 29, 2013 10:41 AM

Sicko Steelers’ fans are having a field day because a Raven is in the hospital. What these vultures don’t know is that the Ravens always come through while the Steelers can’t put together two successful seasons in a row. The bottom feeders jumped for joy when Suggs, Webb, and Lewis went down last year. How’d that work out for ya?

crownofthehelmet says:Jul 29, 2013 10:52 AM

actually jmf, some of us are having a field day with Oz’s tremendous, innovative “chuck-it-deep” strategy.

QBs don’t deserve credit for wins or losses, its a team stat. Flacco had the def carry him for 4 years. 3 AFC title games is good but only winning 1 takes away from the fact. Steelers won 3 out of 4 AFC title since Ben came into the league, 2-1 in the SB and his deal was much better for the team (8 year 103 mil I think) then Flaccos 6 year 120 mil deal. I know the cap numbers are low for 3 years but then it sky rockets. Congrats on your ring but remember you was 1 play away from sitting at home watching the steelers in the playoffs, 8-8 is not a good record but the ravens were not that much better.

jacktheraven says:Jul 29, 2013 11:29 AM

steeler fans here with lots of excuses. Ravens were ” 1 play away from sitting at home”. steelers were 8 plays away from going 0-16. 10-6 and 4-0 in the playoffs isn’t much better than 8-8 and no playoffs. What?

jacktheraven says:Jul 29, 2013 11:31 AM

Jmblosser says “QBs don’t deserve credit for wins & losses”. Then goes on and quotes ben’s record in the playoffs. Do you read how foolish you are before you hit Submit?

I never said ben deserved credit I was talking about the team during the Ben era. Point if the matter I was making about 1 play, that punt return was the only reason the ravens managed to beat the steelers. The def outplayed you off both games, batch put the $120 mil to shame with his play and leftwich played as well as Joe. If raven fans want to give Joe credit for 4-0 in the playoffs and 5 straight appearances then he also gets the credit for 4 straight playoff exits. Ravens will flop like fish out of water this season.

southpaw2k says:Jul 29, 2013 12:12 PM

jmblosser82 says:
Jul 29, 2013 11:19 AM
QBs don’t deserve credit for wins or losses, its a team stat. Flacco had the def carry him for 4 years. 3 AFC title games is good but only winning 1 takes away from the fact. Steelers won 3 out of 4 AFC title since Ben came into the league, 2-1 in the SB and his deal was much better for the team (8 year 103 mil I think) then Flaccos 6 year 120 mil deal. I know the cap numbers are low for 3 years but then it sky rockets. Congrats on your ring but remember you was 1 play away from sitting at home watching the steelers in the playoffs, 8-8 is not a good record but the ravens were not that much better.

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Definition of irony: Idiot makes ranting post about how Joe Flacco’s postseason record is fluffed because of the defense carrying him for his career to date, when his own team’s quarterback has two championship rings largely because of his own defense making plays.

Joemontanaflacco says:Jul 29, 2013 12:13 PM

“Can’t wait for TP, RC & ST to camp under those like a pop-fly.”

Come to think of it, Polamalu SHOULD take up baseball. Where else can you make tons of money standing around waiting to make a play while your leader wastes the season throwing wild pitches.

ravensrooster94 says:Jul 29, 2013 12:23 PM

logicailvoicesays says: Jul 29, 2013 9:18 AM

When you play in the long shadow of the Redskins like the Ravens do, you’re always stuck making changes to desperately try to catch up to them. #Redskinsareunmatched

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Yep, that Deadskin shadow if really long…as in 21 years since a Super Bowl appearance, one playoff appearance in 13 years, and 8 players suspended for PED use since 2011, tied for most in the league.

You know, Deadskins would be a perfect replacement for the current name……

i think the big problem for steeler fans is the lack of steeler articles due to their slide into irrelevance. the ravens win a world title and even though they have had a major roster turnover are still predicted to be major players. meanwhile in pittsburgh, they are coming off an 8 and 8 season and signed matt spaeth. for steeler fans who like to talk about charlie batch…just stop. he beat the ravens. it happens. move on. doesnt change the fact that “if not for a play here or there ravens dont make it” is nonsense. the ravens were the better team last year…they won close games. good teams do that. steelers lost close games last year. bad teams do that.

True, the def was the main reason for the first SB, Ben was a solid thru out the season, disappeared in the SB but didn’t make big mistakes in his second year after contributing to a season that lead to an AFC title loss. Ariens moved more towards the pass and been was great during his suspension shorten season, he struggled in the first half but was key in the clutch. The SB loss again he was above average, the team made mistakes but was still in position to win.
Ravens on the other hand, the def paved the way to4 straight playoffs. 2 of those season the steelers put the ravens in their place, went 1-2 in 5 years in the AFC game and had Flacco disappear in the second half of theSB. He had an outstanding playoff run but his career is full if inconsistent play.

southpaw2k says:Jul 29, 2013 12:33 PM

jmblosser82 says:
Jul 29, 2013 12:02 PM
I never said ben deserved credit I was talking about the team during the Ben era. Point if the matter I was making about 1 play, that punt return was the only reason the ravens managed to beat the steelers. The def outplayed you off both games, batch put the $120 mil to shame with his play and leftwich played as well as Joe. If raven fans want to give Joe credit for 4-0 in the playoffs and 5 straight appearances then he also gets the credit for 4 straight playoff exits. Ravens will flop like fish out of water this season.

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And if James Harrison didn’t intercept Kurt Warner at the end of the first half of Super Bowl 43, Ben would be 1-2 in his Super Bowl appearances. Playing “what if” is a fun game, isn’t it?

Oh, and the Ravens’ loss to the Patriots in the AFC title game was not on Joe Flacco. It was on Lee Evans and Billy Cundiff. But if you want to go on blaming Flacco for outplaying Tom Brady in that game and still losing, then go on living you life in denial.

I get it a win = Flacco and a loss = anyone else. Btw I didn’t blame the loss to the pats on Flacco. And by pointing out that the ravens were 1 punt coverage away from not making the playoffs it was meant to point out that your team didn’t dominate as my has you make it out to have, they didn’t win all the close games, and the playoffs are just a small sample of the overall career of Flacco.
To the guy who said the steelers were 8 plays away from 0-16, not even close, they had several double digit wins. You want to play that then you better say they were 4 plays from being 12-4. The steelers will surprise a lot if people when they have the kind if year no one expects.

Success since Baltimore been in the nfl, edge to steelers, last 10 years edge to steelers, last 5 years edge to steelers, last year edge to ravens. Over the haul the steelers have been and always will be better then the ravens.

Joemontanaflacco says:Jul 29, 2013 2:38 PM

Last five years, Ravens won at least 10 games each year, made the playoffs each time, won a playoff game each time, and have improved upon each season since 2009. Compare that to the Steelers, who sunk to a measly 9 and 8 wins during two of those years, missed the playoffs twice, couldn’t manage a single playoff victory in 2011, and have seen their overall record decline dramatically since 2010 when they flunked out of the Superbowl in early 2011. (from 14 wins to just 8).

jtbsteeler says:Jul 29, 2013 2:42 PM

Because of poor drafts and a 30%+ starter upheaval the Ravens have ZERO room for error.

Been away a while and I see no one has come up with anything new. Same old “my team is better than yours”. Perhaps Steeler and Ravens fans should stop throwing rocks at each other based on the past and start thinking about the upcoming season.

Like, for example, within the division where Cincy is quietly building a nice competitive team.

1-2 in AFC title games 1 SB win. Steelers 2-0 in AFC title games 1-1 in SB, more success. Ultimate goal every year us to win the SB, steelers went more. Yea the NFCN will be hard, but they need to win the AFCN, best way to do that is to win the AFCN games. Cincy is building a team if young studs…but they are and always will be the bungles.